For Every Season - 1. Chapter 1 Companions

3 hours ago, Tim Hobson said:

As I watched and delighted in the progress made over most of my life, I began to worry about those who were being left behind. I wish progress had been brought about in a way that didn't ignore or reject those who were not ready. We were like unthinking children, making new friends and casting aside loyal ones we no longer wanted. It became inevitable that they would react with anger that would lead to violence. Let me be clear: progress is necessary and a good thing, but how it is introduced is just as important, and humanity seems to always forget that in the rush to make all things new. Sooner or later, we pay the price for that uncaring attitude.

I too delighted in the progress made, yet always felt uneasy about how tenuous my gut told me it was. You make an excellent point, Tim. I have seen the harshness you speak of, but I have also seen the desperation to hold onto our darker natures, deeming anything we don't like as 'woke' or better yet, something God wouldn't like, encouraged by lies, exploited fears and ridiculous interpretations. I know what it feels like to try to reach through that morass and finally give up. But yes, some folks need time to adjust, yet that shouldn't be at the expense of good people who just want equal rights and considerations. I have no clear answers, but I will do my part when I can. Thanks for reading, friend. Cheers! G

2 hours ago, Tim Hobson said:

My mother lay in her bed for three days, black and blue from the latest beating and catatonic to shut out the pain and grief. Our father gathered us children and threatened to do the same to us if we told anyone. Then he left forever. We went to school, came home, made our own meals, and cried by our mother's bedside. One day, as we got off the school bus, we saw her sitting on the front stoop, smoking a cigarette. The next day, she met with an attorney and filed for divorce. The oldest, I told her she had waited too long, and that I wished I had killed him. She said she couldn't have lived with that. The money ran out quickly. We ended up losing our house, and we kids went our own ways in life, finding homes with friends and lovers. That was the reality of my "Happy Days." And yet, they helped make me who I am today--a loving husband and a champion of women and children who are abused. Please support The Trevor Project or volunteer to help in some way.

We had similar experiences, and I particularly remember the relief I felt when we left, a mother and three young children. We had no money, but we had a mother who was fierce. Your story is sad, and I know as well as you do, there was little help available back then for wives abused by their husbands. Men got away with murder, and I remember my mom got child support of $50 every two weeks, money she was never able to collect. 

Those violent episodes, carried out with regularity, made me who I am today as well, Tim. I abhor bullying of any kind, yet I fell into a situation not so dissimilar to what my mother had found herself in. The worst kind of people make the best liars.  Thanks for being so open, and sharing your story and your thoughts. Cheers!

1 hour ago, Mikiesboy said:

All of them are well done. But my favourite is this one

In God we may trust

But people must not use him

to justify hate

 

There are some 'special' Christians in this world of ours who use a big yellow highlighter while reading the Bible. 

Thanks for all of these.

Don't get me started on religion, tim. This new form of Christianity is repulsive, worshipping false idols and suggesting God is political. It's obscene. The fact is the bible was written by men, a collection of parables, and not a guidebook for what is acceptable and what is not. Faith is a good thing, a comfort when we might need it, but today's religion is most blatantly about money and power and control, thumbing its nose at morality. The foxes are in the henhouse, and they are bloodthirsty.

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Cheers! G

On 4/10/2025 at 9:45 AM, Sherye Story Reader said:

Omg! Those are inspirational! But the one about the dog sent tears to my eyes flowing! I too have lost a few dogs, and my last one was my female border collie Susie Q! She was really smart! I remember the day I lost my husband; she would not let the funeral come in with the gurney to get him. A friend had to put her on a lease and walk her around outside with her to keep her from being underfoot. It was like she was saying, "You are not taking my Daddy!" Even though she was my dog! So your poem about the dogs hit home in my heart!

she would not let the funeral home come in with the gurney to get him

This was what I was trying to type

2 hours ago, Headstall said:

I doubt many born in this century would understand the things we've seen, Bill. There was a rigidity back then that fortunately slowly faded away, but those attitudes were deeply ingrained. I guess it makes sense that they would rear their ugly heads again. Let's face it... some media is incredibly dangerous, lying and scaring people who do not have a good education system. "Keep 'em stupid' is real, and has its goals.  You're right that this populist movement is happening all around the world, but we are seeing it handed some defeats, and that is heartening. I would say we can only pray for the return of sanity and fairness, but 'pray' has become representative of a truly ugly form of so-called Christianity. Bob Dylan lyrics have never been more apt than they are today. Thanks for your engagement. It's more than I could hope for after jotting down a few words. Cheers! Gary

Gary, you're right.  The goal seems to be "Keep 'em stupid!"  I think back to two short stories I wrote for one of the anthologies back in 2015 and parts, if not all, seem to already have or in the process of become true.  The two stories were "Backroom Deals" and "Hidden Agenda".  Some people scoffed at them back then, but now some of my worst fears seem to be coming true, at least in part or maybe only until the rest of the agenda can be completed.  It would be several giant steps backward and erase years of progress.  

3 hours ago, Sherye Story Reader said:

she would not let the funeral home come in with the gurney to get him

This was what I was trying to type

Dogs sense much that humans don't. I believe my border Collie mourned my horse after she passed. She showed great reverence for where she was buried, and still does in fact. They understand what death is.  

2 hours ago, Bill W said:

Gary, you're right.  The goal seems to be "Keep 'em stupid!"  I think back to two short stories I wrote for one of the anthologies back in 2015 and parts, if not all, seem to already have or in the process of become true.  The two stories were "Backroom Deals" and "Hidden Agenda".  Some people scoffed at them back then, but now some of my worst fears seem to be coming true, at least in part or maybe only until the rest of the agenda can be completed.  It would be several giant steps backward and erase years of progress.  

I have always been uneasy about our gains, never trusting they would last. Maybe that is because of what we experienced in the past and understanding that bigotry and hate just doesn't disappear. "Keep 'em stupid" allows for easy manipulation, and allows for the few to control the many.  

Thanks for writing these. They are all wonderful and provide plenty to think about 😃

33 minutes ago, chris191070 said:

Thanks for writing these. They are all wonderful and provide plenty to think about 😃

Thank you, Chris. I never know when my poetry will resonate with readers, but it is rewarding when it garners a response. Cheers! 

14 hours ago, Valkyrie said:

You truly embraced "diversity" in all its meanings.  I enjoyed all of them, but particularly felt the passion and emotion in the Fight for Inclusion.  While I've never had dogs, I've had cats and plenty of horses in my life, so I can totally relate to the joy they bring and the pain when they leave us.  The Haiku are very poignant and telling for these troubled times.  Thank you for sharing your poems with us, and participating in the anthology! 

Thanks, Val. I always do my best to support the anthologies, and I think everyone should, in whatever way they can. 

Animals have taught me so much throughout my life, their loyalty and willingness to give their all for us(horses especially) making me a better person. Cats are awesome, and I could write a book about Falkor the white.  

Haiku, for being so concise, allows pure expression of a thought. I love writing them. Glad you enjoyed these, Val. Cheers!